14^th Annual Veterans Deer Hunt

Olmsted County Parks, Minnesota Chapter 28 DAV, Olmsted County Public Works, and Olmsted County Veterans’ Service Office sponsored the 14^th annual disabled veterans deer hunt November 14-17.  About 30 disabled veterans and dependents participated.  Over 21 deer were taken and will help manage the herd at Chesterwoods.  Many community organization contributed to make this a successful day for the vets.  I am proud to support Olmsted County’s role in providing this hunt for our vets.

 

Nitrate Reduction in Ground Water

Olmsted County has had great success in a Soil and Water Program to reduce nitrates in our ground water.  Olmsted will soon run out of the funds that has made this program a success.  We have reached out to the Legislature to continue this program and extend it to SE Minnesota.  We will see if the Legislature will pick up the funding for this program.  Here is more information on this topic:

https://www.minnpost.com/greater-minnesota/2024/10/why-advocates-of-an-olmsted-county-nitrate-program-want-it-broadened-to-other-parts-of-the-state/?utm_medium=email

 

Community Outreach Specialists See Positive Results

Olmsted County implemented the co-responder model: a deputy and Community Outreach Specialist responds to mental health calls.  The success of this program and the introduction of the Police Assisted Recovery Program lead to expanding the number of Community Outreach Specialists (total of 4) in 2020 and in 2024 expanded again with four additional Substance Use Specialists.  This program is funded in part by an Opioid Settlement that Minnesota received from Fentanyl manufacturers.  In the first part of 2024 Olmsted received 1,716 calls.  65.8% of the calls were handled by Community Outreach Specialists that allowed Police and Deputies to attend to other calls for service.  About 587 calls received co-responses.  This program has allowed Olmsted to better deal with mental health and drug issues by assisting clients to enter into mental health and substance treatment programs and to get connected with other services provided by the county.  With these connections, people can return to a healthy life.  The goal of the program is to make a safer community by providing practical assistance to those individuals in crisis.

Use this link for more information:  Olmsted County Drug and Alcohol Response Team (DART)

 

2024 Betty Hubbard Maternal and Child Health Leadership Award

Olmsted County Public Health Services received this award for community level leadership and advocacy on behalf of women, children and families.  This included better prenatal care, improving disparities among Black mothers, mothers with less than a high-school education, and mother ages 15-19.  Public Health nurses and staff used innovative programming to make positive gains in prenatal health.  Here is more information on Olmsted’s Home Visiting Program:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UBLcXG3Rq8

 

Filing for Homestead is December 31

The deadline to file for Homestead on taxes payable in 2025 is December 31, 2024.  Here is more information on filing for homestead use this link or search homestead on www.olmstedcounty.gov :  homestead

 

Olmsted Cannabis Ordinances

This is a summary of the ordinances regarding cannabis that have been passed by the Olmsted County Board.  I supported these ordinances.

Please remember that the State of Minnesota is responsible for the licensing of cannabis growing and retailing very similar to licensing and retailing alcohol.

• According to state law, adults 21 and over in Minnesota can possess and use cannabis in certain non-public places in the county.
• Olmsted County, as a local government agency, has enacted additional cannabis restrictions, such as banning public use, except at events or establishments licensed for on-site cannabis consumption.
• In accordance with Minnesota state law, Olmsted County has initially limited cannabis retailer registrations to 1 per 12,500 population within the County. For Olmsted County, that equates to 14 registered cannabis businesses.

The county board has passed ordinances on the requirements for local cannabis businesses to follow including:

• Age compliance checks for cannabis products, to ensure businesses are not selling to individuals under 21 years of age.
• Requirements for temporary cannabis events.
• New County Zoning Ordinance requirements spelling out where cannabis businesses can operate in the unincorporated areas of the county.
• Cannabis businesses are prohibited within 1,000 feet of a school, or 500 feet of a daycare, residential treatment facility, or an attraction or public park used by minors.
• Private property owners can decide whether to allow cannabis use on their property; however, they must comply with state and local laws if they choose to do so.

 

Protecting public health and safety

Olmsted County’s goals are to balance public health and safety with economic opportunity.

Olmsted County will maintain oversight of cannabis businesses while supporting a fair and regulated market.  Olmsted County’s approach toward cannabis focuses on protecting public health and safety through the regulation of public cannabis use, particularly in areas accessible to minors and vulnerable populations.  The county supports the regulation and prevention of underage access to cannabis and THC products. Age compliance checks are a key strategy in ensuring businesses adhere to laws prohibiting sales to individuals under the age of 21.

 

39 Deer

Olmsted County Parks, Olmsted County Veterans’ Office, and DAV (Disabled American Veterans) collaborated to provide a deer hunt for veterans.  Chesterwoods was the site for disabled vets and their dependents.  Tracked vehicles took the vets to the pre-designated sites.  The park was closed during the hunt.  Oxbow Nature Center was the site for bow-hunting vets.  39 deer were taken this year which helps manage the deer herds in the parks.  Many local businesses contributed to make this year’s hunt successful.

 

18,000 and Solar:  Climate Sustainability

• A 40KW solar array was installed on the Government Center roof.
• Installation of a solar field will placed on the Kalmar landfill sites; the energy produced will be enough to run the gate house and facilities at the landfill.
• 18,000 acres (about 23% of the tillable acres) have been contracted with Olmsted County to employ nitrate reduction practices and improve soil health.

 

Olmsted Board of Commissioners set the 2025 Budget

At the December 17 Board meeting the Commissioners set the 2025 budget.  One can learn about the 2025 budget on the  Olmsted County website

To learn about the Olmsted County Budget please go to: 2025 Olmsted County Budget in Brief.  This will provide an overview of the Olmsted County budget and taxes assessed by the county and other taxing entities.

 

Happy New Year

I wish everyone a Healthy, Prosperous, and Happy 2025 New Year.

I look forward to serving you in 2025.